My Secret Elk Hunting Tactic! Short-Range Glassing Techniques

[@chuckswackhammer]

I glassed a bull that was bedded down at only 33 yards so I could see where I think his shoulder blade and arm bone was to slip an arrow in. It was during a thunderstorm and when it hit him a bigger bull and a spike both jumped up even closer to me. He only went 20 yards, but it took him almost an hour to die. Thanks for making these videos!

[@CliffGray]

Great comment! I’ve had tons of situations like this… glassing stuff up really close or, as you mention, missing something that was within 100yds. I, no shit, one time glassed an Aspen bottom for 50 minutes, all sub-400yds. As I got up to leave, a 50” moose stood up in the middle of it. He was just obscured by brush. I bet I glassed over pieces and lines of him 20-30 times. Good stuff! Thanks Chuck!

[@averagedoes5715]

Even here in the thick hardwood forests of the Midwest you would be surprised at the number of whitetails you can turn up less than 100 yards away with a good set of binoculars. I think the biggest benefit with is the reduced depth of field that somewhat exaggerates the distance, so that brown hair that sort of blends into the brown leaves and brush now stands out because it is in focus but the background isn't. Works extremely well for finding ducks in flooded timber too.

[@brianthompson9136]

As a newer hunter, I can’t overstate how helpful your vids are. Thanks amigo!

[@CliffGray]

For sure man! glad they are helpful. Good luck out there!

[@Awesymoto]

30 seconds in and Cliff flexes on everyone with his superior cross legged flexibility

[@russellkeeling4387]

Another bit of advice I might be able to give is to steady your binos by hooking your index fingers over the bill of your cap.

[@anthonymartinez8347]

Yep ,

[@jasonjohn1978]

As always Cliff, great video! Here’s my 2 cents on the topic of glassing, for people trying to step their game up. Don’t be afraid to take your optics out and use them frequently, even in an urban environment. You don’t have to only use your optics to scout and glass up your target animal. Get out in the off season and use your optics as frequently as you can and familiarize yourself and your mind with glassing so you can become more proficient with them when you are on your hunt. Figure out how you prefer to glass and what positions are most effective for you to do for long periods of time. Do you prefer to sit on the ground or on a stool. Would you rather stand-up? Can you sit on your glassing pad for hours at a time or does it become uncomfortable after a half-hour. All of these things are things you want to figure out and learn before you go on your big hunt. And there’s nothing worse then finding a weak point or failure in your system when you’re on a hunt. Do you need new contacts or a straight spotter over an angled one because you have a bad neck or back problems? Can your tripod support the weight of your spotting scope in steep rocky terrain and still be steady? All of these things need to be addressed prior to your hunt. It can definitely make a difference in whether or not you notch your tag at the end of the day and are successful in the field.

[@CliffGray]

Several awesome tips here - thanks man!

[@nehemiahcoble]

Definitely gonna be using this for the thick blow down areas found in Montana, me and my dad were still hunting a chunk of it only 200 yards from the road halfway into the season and spooked a bull up. After the hunt we both realized we had seen flickering through the trees from where he jumped up and thought it was just snow.

[@TheModernDayMountainMan]

With both short and long range glassing, the technique I've used for years and what I have taught my sons and guys I hunt with, is to look for colors that don't belong. Our #1 indicator is always white spots. Deer, elk, and pronghorn have those bright white rear ends, and when we hunt, that is always the first thing we look for and eliminate... anything that's white. Generally, the terrain will have a mix of brown and green of varying shades. So the first thing we do (after a general glassing over to look for obvious game) is identify all the white spots we can, and study those first. Sometimes it's rocks, sometimes it's an old white tree stump, but sometimes it's the rear end of a critter. The white sticks out because generally it's a color that doesn't "belong" there. I find probably 75% of my game this way. Once we've eliminated the white spots, then we move on to the shady pockets, underneath junipers, etc. Eliminating the white spots at both short and long ranges has resulted in spotting more game for me than any other tactic. Another color of note, is early season deer. They have that rusty red coat that'll stick out like a sore thumb amongst a sea of green and brown. When I'm looking through the thick stuff, while looking for those colors, I'm also looking for things that are round (bedded animal) and as you stated, the flick of an ear or a head turning. Using these little tricks I've discovered and learned over the years has resulted in finding a lot of game. I really enjoy your videos Cliff, thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Gary - great tips in here. 👍

[@TheModernDayMountainMan]

@@CliffGray 🍻🍻

[@bradleyrichmond9411]

You seriously have the best western game hunting content for a non western resident. Thanks!

[@ronhooper5509]

When I approach a clearcut or can just start to see at daylight, I will always give it a good once over before I ever put glasses to my face, especially in a time of morning when animals are on the move to their beds. The wide angle has spotted me more movement, resulting in more kills than glassing right away like a lot of people do. Hunting the coast, I’ve used 10x binos for the last 20 or so years. It seems to be the perfect balance of magnification for logging country. I recently discovered your videos and I’m digging them. I just moved to eastern ID, and it’s a whole ‘nother world hunting here, so I will be soaking up knowledge from your vids.

[@shanedupont9116]

Well….. I don’t think it’s possible to get more thorough than this. Awesome video.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Shane!

[@w8coach]

There is a good book written by Tom Carpenter and Jim Van Norman, “Mule deer Trophy Hunting, Pursuing the Grey Ghost.” Jim explains the specifics of exactly what you are referring to as contrasts to pick out game. Lots of info plus pictures of the small pieces he uses to find mule deer. You have a great channel and I’m glad I found and subscribed to it. Thank you!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man! I’ll check out the book

[@raghornl9339]

I break areas down into smaller grids when glassing. Also, if I show up on an area like a clearcut, I will check the timbered edges. first where they can escape to before you would get a shot at.

[@andrewd8397]

Another great glassing tip to steady your binos if you use a harness; run your thumbs over the tether straps and pin them up onto your binos before bringing them up to your eyes. You may need to shorten or lengther the tethers to get it right but when used in conjunction with the hat brim hold while standing, its a great tactic.

[@CliffGray]

I like it! Great tip. Thanks

[@bigsean8088]

Your videos have been invaluable to me. Southern Oregon. You last glassing video opened my eyes. Thank You!

[@CliffGray]

Glad to help! Thanks

[@TG_Wyers]

Been going back and watching your videos. They’re so helpful! Thank you! And it’s cool to see you shooting some content around my home town!

[@CliffGray]

Glad they are useful man!

[@kenferrier7751]

One glassing tactic that I picked up years ago (o.k. decades, actually) is to use binoculars to "walk" through thickets or timber by simply slowly adjusting the center focus wheel. It comes in handy for making out animals that are either bedded down or partially obscured by foliage. I'm new to your channel and newsletter but have viewed a few of your videos over the past several years. Last year we borrowed your method of vacuum sealing/freezing camp foods ahead of time. It worked great. I see that you're in Eagle. We have been hunting around Rifle for the past few years. I appreciate your tips and insights. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us.

[@tommckibben877]

Cliff, I've Elk hunted Colorado for the last 40 yrs and mostly heavy timber and have Always glassed heavy Timber up close and what I do is I look past my close timber and focus my binos on trees the farthest I can see and I start at the ground and glass left to right looking for " pieces" of Elk (an ear, a leg, etc) and I always squat down or sit. It's amazing when you get down low to glass, it opens up your field of view. On a side note: I always look for Sap pockets on any spruce trees and take my knife and cut the pocket open and put the sap on my hat band and my gaiters, the scent is strong and it's part of the area i'm hunting, same goes for rubbing the top of sagebrush, it releases strong sage cover scent. You run a Fantastic channel thanks for your advice.

[@derek_406]

With respect to wind in thick cover, usually if you can see how the vegetation is moving given the wind direction sometimes even the smallest movement contrary to how the vegetation is moving can turn up game.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Derek - good tip

[@chuckswackhammer]

Nice view! I just realized that is Adams. I was just there all weekend at Council Lake. Been going there during the stp bike ride (so I don’t have to deal with driving around 1,000’s of bicycles all weekend long) every year for 12 years now. Love it up there!!

[@izzyrodriguez1259]

I thought that mt. Looked familiar.. haha

[@jakef1977]

I hunt the timber ghosts known as Blacktail. In the THICK country they live in short range glassing has killed lots of bucks in my family. Good tips Cliff!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Jake!

[@birder4life999]

First off thank you so much these are really amazingly helpful videos, I think we think similarly so I get a lot our of them! This one in particular, I grew up in Maine and learned to hunt big game on whitetail there, but live in northern Colorado now, I find my self flashing like I did there, and it works! One thing to add, I don't usually wear a hat that has a stiff brim, so I actually use my thumbs against my cheekbones to brave my chest binos (only optics I own). That is only if I can't find a tree etc to lean against. I find my self mostly running through country to get to small pockets that I know can not be glassed from any big glassing points and that I know usually hold game (known from hunting the same few units for 13 years). I even scout new areas by looking for glassing nobs on maps finding view sheds from there and ignoring them, and looking for good feeding/bedding areas that are not easily glassed by traditional western sit and glass tactics. Then I go and still hunt/close glass through those areas with the wind in my face. It might not be the best approach but it keeps me busy and I am fairly successful (at least at finding and getting close to game, I seam to screw up shot opportunities like it is my job though!).

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! Great additional tips.

[@prez803]

Great info! While stopping for lunch last year during 2nd rifle for deer I decided to take another look at the hillside across from me that I had already glassed. It was 800 yards away and consisted of tall grass among burned trees. Somehow I had missed 6 bulls bedded in plain sight. It took almost an hour for me to spot all of them and then they weren't 100 yards from each other. Crazy how they can disappear.

[@CliffGray]

Ha! Great comment - I’ve had stuff like that occur a bunch! Thanks

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Glad to see your channel blowing up

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man!

[@CliffGray]

Appreciate your support from the start!

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@CliffGray you are the most knowledgeable once folks figure it out you will be at 300k before you know it

[@CliffGray]

Thanks. Really appreciate it.

[@benjaminhamm3957]

You can also "burn through" brush. By slightly adjusting focus from the near edge of screens of brush to a little further you can penetrate, visually deeper into it. Don't know a better way to explain it but it works well at intermediate and short ranges.

[@CliffGray]

I know exactly what your talking about - “burn through” is a great way to describe it. Thanks!

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Excellent tip. This is a common technique photographers use when using a telephoto lens and shooting through chain link fences etc.

[@birder4life999]

This is exactly why I was taught to get and cary binos learning to hunt deer in Maine (grew up bow hunting in costal forests and marshes there). Yes you might only be able to see 15-20 yards, but being able to burn through brush makes such a difference.

[@Paul-q3m7k]

I live in northern bc and we have very very limited open country , saying that , my binoculars are missing paint from me glassing so much . We rarely get to glass elk in a spot and stalk scenario but I do glass constantly and it pays off

[@chrismiller5709]

Great content, thank you. I'm one that uses the brim of my ball cap to frame up when glassing. It's always worked well for me. My tendency is to become impatient and extend or speed up my area of coverage. I'm trying to be better and more methodical about compartmentalizing different close range land and brush/tree features, to be more consistent and thorough.

[@dustinabramson9533]

This is a great video. I’m going to watch it several times.

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@erikjensen6503]

Don't forget long or short range glassing to take a break and scan with your eyes alone. I keep seeing Mule deer walking within 200 yds when I'm scouting and glassing 1/2 a mile or more

[@CliffGray]

This is a very good point/tip. Thanks Erik!

[@uMalice]

Glass from a lookout point and break up the terrain into a checker board and then systematically left to right, top to bottom (like reading a book) and cover the whole region you can reach in a day's hunt. I look for horizontal lines for backs or ears and eyes. Ears twitch and move a lot and and our eye naturally pick up on ears and eyes.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks James. Agreed on ears/eyes!

[@jasonkannon9557]

I knew it...you are a Yogi hunter! Lotus sitting in boots...thats incredible!!

[@CliffGray]

HA!

[@zackerymitani8685]

Not sure if anyone or you have mentioned this but it’s a good one for new bow hunters. If your trying to short range glass with your bow in hand instead of putting it down straddle your top cam with your optics, then find somewhere on your body to anchor your lower cam. Doing this I have found stabilizes the movement a ton, it also helps when the animals are getting close and the nerves start 😂. Control your breathing and emotions, you can get excited later be a good hunter! I used this technique to kill my biggest archery buck to date. There was 5 bedded bucks and I was constantly glassing on the stalk in to insure what one the target buck was and that none were looking my way.

[@CliffGray]

Great tip! Thanks

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

All I know is I use my binos A LOT. Short range, long range, it doesn't matter. I use them habitually. In fact, next to my boots, it's my 2nd most used item. Glassing at 30 yards in dark timber, can make all the difference if all you see is an ear twitch. Side note: I can't recommend wiser precision's quick stix tripod system enough. Turn your trekking poles into shooting sticks AND a tripod. Major weight savings. At 48, i find myself counting ounces a lot more then I used to.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for the comment. I agree on the Wiser stuff - going to do a review on the clip for the trekking adapter soon. Thanks

[@TG_Wyers]

The hat brim hold is a Remi Warren move. At least that’s where I heard it - on a solo hunter show.

[@CliffGray]

I gotcha. Thanks!

[@ruebencaballero9511]

Really good info and just in time, I needed this. Thank you

[@CliffGray]

Good deal!

[@adambrazil4491]

Another great video Cliff

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Adam!

[@AKHSwampFox]

Just discovered your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I just started hunting with my husband here in Virginia and am hooked. On a side note, where did you get that hat? It's awesome.

[@CliffGray]

👍that’s a Kemo Sabe hat… it was giving to me by the owner years ago as a tip. Not sure how one could get one nowadays! Appreciate the compliment. Thanks

[@timg7627]

Well done Sir. Great info

[@vincethewoodlander]

I stillhunt the Appalachians alot and always frame up/support my arms or binos on trees. I support in ways similar to supporting a rifle but modified. Also I never use a bino harness; the in/out movement of bino is too much, too slow, and more equipment than needed. They're slung across me on a longer string under my dominant arm. I almost always catch animals with the horizontal lines you talked about. I can also usually catch the white line around a whitetails ears, his rack, white throat patch, or glassy/glossy eye or nose. I scout allot, hunt alot, track a bunch, and know where I have a high chance of catching game. I don't use my binos where I don't think game is other than quick checks.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for the comment. Some good tips in here!

[@russellkeeling4387]

I know that most hunting videos are all about hunting way back it the far reaches of the wilderness, but when I started elk hunting at 14 there were few elk here in area 85 of southern Colorado. As the years went by the number of elk has risen very much. These elk all born and raised in this area can hear the highway or the railroad no matter where they are. They are not really afraid of a moving vehicle but they are if the vehicle stops. The area I have always hunted has some government land but is mostly private property so there have been many times I have seen a wonderful elk to harvest but could not because it was on the wrong side of the fence. The seed herd we have here on the north side of highway 160 is somewhere between 400-500 elk. If half of them are cows that have a calf each year that's 200 calves. If half of them survive that's 100 survivors each year that have to spread out and find a place to live. If it weren't for the private land I don't believe the elk numbers would have increased as they have. The only time any of my friends or I use high power optics is when scouting before season. We can spot big bulls from a long way off and then go to that area during the season. Good luck to all hunters cuz there is no feeling like it and non-hunters will never experience the primal feeling you get once you have successfully harvested and hauled out an elk all by yourself.

[@MrDavidwillette]

Hi, now your definition of short range glassing may be different, but I was always told to glass the closest area first and then slowly increase the distance. There may be a game animal that’s close and you don’t know it and you spook it while glassing or talking or whatever. It’s the same with fishing- always fish the closest waters first.

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍yes good way to put it

[@ryandegnim278]

Cliff when would recommend using short range glassing? Do you prefer to use short range glassing at certain times of the day? What kinds of terrain is it ideally suited for?

[@CliffGray]

Looking for bedded animals - so outside of prime times. Looking in really thick vegetation where you have another indicator telling you there is likely game in there... It has it's place in a lot of different areas and situations. Good luck!

[@russellkeeling4387]

I have found I don't need or want optics that are high power. I carry an old set of binos that are only six power and are perma-focus. I can glass even in thick lodge pole timber to pick out that leg or portion of antler. When long range glassing they still work quite well. Finding an opening to glass from is a problem for all hunters and one bit of advice I can give all hunters is to look behind you every now and then. I had one of the largest bulls I've ever seen just walk behind me while glassing in the opposite direction. He was looking right at me all the time he walked by.

[@ShaneGregory-b4u]

I find a high spot overlooking south facing ridges above medows sit and wait watching the south facing ridges as sun rises and all the sudden blond bodies will start popping out as elk come out of the medows in mornings

[@llsnyderj]

Glassing Yoga, I love it!😂🤘

[@lifeisnowoutdoors3961]

Great content 🔥

[@cabinetmunch]

All work stops when Cliff posts a new video. Does that make me more productive or less productive?

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha now, that is the question! Thanks for the support.

[@Dan__W]

Next video: Glassing for Ants! 🐜 🔍🌞 😉 Love the videos, thanks Cliff!

[@CliffGray]

Haha! Thanks Dan!

[@ScottValiquette]

Is that mt Shasta behind you?? Or bachelor

[@ericinnis]

Wow! 45 seconds before moving the binos… I’ve been moving way too fast!

[@craigholland2274]

Angled or straight spotter? Good videos.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks - Angled, just always have. I know lots of guys that run straight. Personal preference. If you are glassing up out of bottoms a lot - angled might be a little more functional.

[@JamesM-l5g]

👍

[@troywesterbur706]

I’ve always been taught to look close before you look far.

[@greghertzberg6220]

You look like your using 10 x 50. When your hunting what size do you use. I scout ore season with Large bino’s and my spotting scope. I do not want to come within 2 miles of elk…

[@CliffGray]

My chest Binos is a 8x42. I use a 15x56 for 80% of my glassing/scouting

[@greghertzberg6220]

@@CliffGray i hunt with only liecha geovid, 8x 42. Scouting with 20x 80 steiners. Sometimes i teeter on whether the 15 x 56 lieca’s would have been better for hunting up here….

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

That so looks like Mt hood and Mt ranier

[@CliffGray]

Adams

[@CliffGray]

I was staring at Hood though, so pretty damn good guess! 😄

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@CliffGray I spent a lotta time in that area mostly Mt Rainier Yakima and the three sisters mountains 👊🏻👍🏻

[@chriskahn7123]

Just skied Adams last week - thought it looked familiar. Thanks for another helpful video!

[@TG_Wyers]

That’s Adam’s, with St. Helens off to the left. Looks like somewhere off Surveyor’s ridge. In my back yard!

[@beenstork]

The hat comment was probably Remi Warren

[@CliffGray]

ha! most likely

[@pemborsky]

Cheesedick excuses! Fuck Yes LOL #NailedIt

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha!

[@TRyan3]

Thumbs for the ants

[@CliffGray]

Ha!

[@jcwchauvinistwest2098]

19:00 a gay mammals back has some roundness......awesome.

[@joebaker5200]

Hahaha! What’s worse than ants in your pants?

[@CliffGray]

Nothing man - they were after me!

[@joebaker5200]

I can’t believe you actually replied back! I love and hate what you’re doing… It’s taken me over 10 years to learn all these tactics you are telling everybody and sometimes I don’t agree. I feel like people need to get out there and struggle a little bit themselves, spend some gas money, many miles on the truck, cold nights and rain storms in little tents. Along with tons of heart break trying to figure out the animals they’re pursuing. I live in the the heart of unit 76 here in Colorado and I get a little jealous that none of this internet marketing or information was present when I was younger. However thanks for what you do, it is really nice to refresh on some things that I forget in the off-season. If you ever make it southwest on a hunt, I would love to help out anyway I can!

[@joebaker5200]

As far as ants in your pants…. Uncles…. Uncles are way worse

[@CliffGray]

@@joebaker5200 thanks Joe! Beautiful part of Colorado you live in. I do hope that guys realize that nothing can replace time in the mountains - I don’t care what they say, elk hunting will never be in the metaverse, Bwhaha. Appreciate the support. Good luck this Fall.